Hinge for step-ladders.



No. 813,535. PATENTED FEB. 27, 1906.

G. IETTBNBORN.

HINGE FOR STEP LADDERS. APPLICATION FILED AUG.19. 1905.

CHARLES TETTENBORN, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

HINGE FOR STEP-LADDERS.

No. 813,535. Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 19, 1905. Serial No. 274,827.

Patented Feb. 27, 1906.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES TETTENBORN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oincinnati, Hamilton county, State of Ohio,have invented a certain new and Improved Hinge for Step-Ladders; and I do declare the following to be a clear, full, and exact description of the invention, attention being called to the accompanying drawings, with the reference characters marked thereon, which form also a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improved hinge for step-ladders which is constructed in a manner that it will also serve to hold the step-ladder firmly in its open position, preventing it from sliding farther apart or from collapsing, dispensing thus with the usual means, stops, braces, 850., now used for such purpose. No specific manipulation of any kind is required to cause it to operate in the manner and for the additional purpose indicated, and the mere act of opening or closing the step-ladder is sufficient to enact the ad ditional functions mentioned.

The invention consists of the specific construction, as hereinafter described and claimed and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows in side view a customary step-ladder as it appears when opened out for use. Fig. 2 in a similar view shows the upper part of it as it appears when closed up, the two main parts of the ladder approaching each other. Fig. 3 in an enlarged side view of the upper part shows the first effect and resultant position of parts of the hinge at the beginning of efiorts made to close up the ladder. Fig. 4 in a similar view shows the ladder closed up. Fig. 5 is a vertical section on line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on line 6 6 of Fig. 4.

The general construction of the ladder has no particular bearing on my invention.

10 may indicate the upright members, bars, or stiles of the ladder, which support between them the steps 11.

12 indicates the props, one hinged to the upper end of each of the stiles 10, both props being connected by braces 13 or otherwise, so that they move together to or from the stiles. When moved out therefrom, they support the ladder for use, as shown in Fig. 1.

The hinge whereby stiles 10 and props 12 are connected is constructed in a way that when the ladder is opened out to its normal position the complementary members of the vents them from moving in either direction with reference to each other. For such purpose one ofthe hinge members connected to one of the parts-to stile 10 in this case-consists of a lug A, provided with two alined openings or slots 14 and 15, the lower part of each of which is laterally enlarged in the same direction, as shown. This lug has also an attaching-flange 16, which is perforated to reduce its weight. This member and its flange are also extended upwardly and laterally to form a supporting-bracket 17 for the top step, the width of which is usually increased to form a shelf 18. This bracket, however, has no bearing on or operative connection with the hinge and is merely added to simplify the construction and to reduce the number of separate castings otherwise required. Complementary to this lug A are two smaller lugs a a, projecting integrally from an attaching-flange 19, the latter also perforated to reduce its weight and attached one each to the upper ends of props 12. These lugs are fitted to occupy,respectively, slots 14 and 15, and they are spaced and fitted to be free to slide lengthwise therein-that is, from a position in the upper part of these slots, as shown in Fig. 1, to one in the lower part thereof, as shown in Fig. 3. The effect of this arrangement is that when said lugs a a are in the upper part of their respective slots 14 and 15, as shown in Fig. 1, props 12 are positively held and locked against movement in either direction. When from this position the ladder is swung forward, as shown in Fig. 2, for the purpose of closing the same, the first ef fect will be a sliding movement of these lugs from the upper part of the slots into their lower part, as shown in Fig. 3, which shows the beginning of this closing movement. This sliding movement is due to the weight of the props, which are now raised off from the floor. It also brings these lugs opposite the laterallyenlarged part of their slots, and the closing movement of the props toward the stiles continuing these lugs become free to turn, respectively swing into these enlarged parts, as shown in Fig. 2, thus preventing interference with the closing movement, which continues until the ladder is fully closed up, as shown in Fig. 4. The same movements take place, only in reverse direction, when the ladder is opened out, lugs a a moving out of the enlarged parts of slots 14 and 15 until they arrive in these latter, as shown in Fig. 3,

hinge become locked in a manner which preafter which by reason of the weight of the l ladder lug A will drop and slide down over lugs a a, which latter enter now again the upper parts of their slot and lock the props, a shown in Fig. 1. The lower one of these lug (1 projects over the lower and outer edge of its slot and the enlarged lateral part thereof to hold lugs a a in position during their movements within thelr slots and to prevent lateral disengagement of the parts. It will now be seen that as to the locking function of the hinge no attention or specific manipulation is required, and both the looking, as well as the unlocking operation, proceed automatically and are incidental to the opening or closing of the step-ladder.

Having described my invention, I claim as new- In a step-ladder hinge, the combination of two complementary hinge members, each comprising an attaching-flange for connection to the upper ends of the ladder parts to be hinged to each other, one of these hinge members provided with a lug A, having two alined slots, each of which is laterally enlarged in the same direction, the other member having two integral elongated lugs projecting from it and fitted to occupy the slots mentioned in a manner to be free to slide therein longitudinally and also to move laterally into their enlarged parts when opposite them, the lower one of these elongated lugs projecting also above and downwardly over the lower edge of the opening which it occupies, to prevent lateral displacement of the engaged hinge members.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ailiX my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES TETTENBORN. Witnesses:

C. SPENGEL, O. MESSER. 

